Ola Koziol

I’m Ola, a singing teacher and vocalist with a background in music education and psychology. I offer psychologically informed singing lessons that support both vocal development and authentic self-expression.My teaching philosophy is based on a simple belief: the voice is not separate from the person using it. Singing is a technical skill, but it’s also shaped by breath, emotion, attention, confidence, and our relationship with our own body. Because of this, my teaching focuses not only on how your voice sounds, but on how it feels to sing.I trained originally as a musician and educator, graduating with a BA in Music Education with Distinction, specialising in Popular Music Instrumental and Vocal Bands and Jazz Vocals. My musical background includes classical piano, harmony and ear training, improvisation, ensemble work, and leading vocal and instrumental groups. In addition to my previous solo and band work, I’m currently involved with the Murmuration Choir in Bristol, which has deepened my interest in collective voice and embodied musical communication.Alongside my musical training, I hold a MSc in Psychology and have professional experience working in mental health services. This informs how I teach: I’m attentive to nervous system regulation, emotional safety, and clear boundaries, and I recognise that voice work can feel personal and vulnerable. This allows me to support students in a grounded, respectful, and sustainable way while working practically with voice, breath, and expression. I’m also neurodivergent, which shapes my sensitivity to different learning styles, sensory needs, and ways of processing information. I value clarity, flexibility, and collaboration, and I adapt my teaching to support how each individual learns best.From a technical perspective, my teaching is grounded in healthy, anatomy-informed vocal technique. I have trained extensively in mix voice and contemporary vocal approaches, and I’m a former Associated Member of the International Voice Teachers of Mix (IVTOM). Through this membership and ongoing professional development, I’ve engaged with current vocal science and evidence-based approaches to sustainable voice use, focusing on balance and long-term vocal health.A key element of my approach is developing interoceptive awareness — the ability to notice internal sensations such as breath flow, effort, resonance, tension, ease, and emotional arousal. This kind of internal listening helps singers build reliable technique, avoid strain, and repeat what works without forcing. Over time, it also supports emotional literacy: recognising how feelings show up in the body and voice, and learning how to express them safely through sound.I work in a person-centred way, adapting lessons to each student’s needs. You might come to singing because you want to perform, prepare for exams, improve technique, explore improvisation, or reconnect with your voice after a break. You might also be looking for a creative way to build confidence, regulate stress, or develop a stronger sense of self-expression. Beginners are very welcome. There is no “right” type of voice here — just curiosity, respect for your body, and space to learn.In my teaching, technique and expression are never separate. We work with breath, resonance, articulation, rhythm, harmony, and text — always in relation to how your body responds in the moment. My role isn’t to impose a voice on you, but to help you develop trust in your own internal feedback. After all, your body is the instrument, and you are the expert on how it feels to use it.If you’re looking for singing lessons that are grounded, respectful, and deeply human — where your voice is treated as both a musical and embodied experience — you’re very welcome here.